What I later learned is that alcohol doesn’t just disrupt your life; it rewires your brain chemistry. Chronic drinking depletes essential neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and GABA, which are critical for emotional balance and self-control. This realization hit me hard but also gave me hope: I came to understand that by replacing what was lost through targeted supplementation and making lifestyle changes to speed up the repair process, quitting was somehow suddenly within reach. My experience of putting this insight into practice also led me to discover that knowing why we drink—the type of drinker we are—can make all the difference in the quest to regain control.
Knowing which type of drinker you are determines which path to take in terms of supplement choices and lifestyle changes that will help you avoid withdrawal issues and stay in-control. If we base ‘drinker types’ on the most common reasons for drinking, consider the following 3 types with an associated brain chemical:
Dopaminergic
Low Dopamine w/ Low GABA
Alcohol is energizing at first, but eventually acts as a sedative.
You’re fired up and then you’re let down.
Serotoninergic
Low Serotonin w/ Low GABA
Alcohol makes it easy to socialize, let loose, and enjoy life.
Conversations begin to flow, and for a while, you feel more free to be yourself.
Noradrenergic
High Noradrenaline w/ Low GABA
Alcohol calms your nerves and allows you to relax.
Supplementation
Wherever there tends to be a deficiency, precursor supplementation is going to be helpful. Dopaminergic types, for example, can benefit from a dopamine precursor like Dopa Mucuna, while Serotoninergic types can use a supplement like 5-HTP to increase serotonin.
To learn more about specific supplements tailored to each type, stay tuned for an upcoming post where we’ll dive deeper into the details. You’ll find a comprehensive guide to help you choose the right supplements to break free from alcohol and remain in-control.
Lifestyle Changes
Dopaminergic
This type mainly benefits from any activity that involves new environments and short bursts of high activity. Examples include trail running, cycling, and adventure hiking.
Serotoninergic
This type tends to benefit from stimulating environments, especially if there is some socialization involved. Examples include yoga classes, group hikes, and adventure hikes.
Noradrenergic
Adrenergics benefit from high intensity and/or endurance activities that stimulate noradrenaline. Examples include high-intensity training, weight lifting, and group sports.
All Types
Because all types tend to encounter low GABA, activities that promote GABA are beneficial. Examples include yoga, meditation, and long walks in nature.
If you’re ready to let go of alcohol and can identify with at least one of these types, this approach offers something different: it’s about replacing what was lost while focusing on your unique neurochemical needs. If you’re going to detox from alcohol, it’s better to ‘replace’ than to repeat ‘quitting’.
In the next post, you’ll learn how a unique approach to supplementation can help you avoid cravings, depression, and other unwanted side effects that are common with alcohol detox.
